Warren Entsch lays blame for Leichhardt landslide

The Coalition’s post-election bloodletting has spilled over in the Far North with Peter Dutton and an LNP “kingmaker” blamed for the loss of Leichhardt and more than a dozen other seats across Australia.

A forlorn Warren Entsch is greeted by Member for Barron River Bree James at the post election party for LNP candidate for Leichhardt Jeremy Neal, held at Cairns Kangaroos Leagues Club in Mooroobool. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Coalition’s post-election bloodletting has spilled over in the Far North with Peter Dutton and an LNP “kingmaker” blamed for the loss of Leichhardt and more than a dozen other seats across Australia.

But the party has insisted that no rules were broken during preselection for the seat.

In the wake of its crushing defeat, retired MP Warren Entsch offered scathing criticism of his party’s preselection process and campaign policies with the Coalition holding just 40 seats in the House of Representatives at deadline on Wednesday.

Former Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch at the Trinity Beach polling booth on election day, campaigning for the LNP’s Jeremy Neal. Picture: Elodie Jakes

The electorate’s longest serving office bearer praised Leichhardt hopeful Jeremy Neal but questioned the role Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Trent Twomey played during the preselection process.

“Jeremy worked his a** off,” Mr Entsch said. “He worked as hard as you’d expect any candidate to work. His whole family was involved and I give him 100 per cent for it.

“The volunteers worked their hearts out … everybody did everything they could to make sure that he got across the line. The problem was … he wasn’t the right fit.”

Longtime political allies, Prof Trent Twomey and Far North MP Warren Entsch, are still at loggerheads over the preselection process for Leichhardt held late last year. Picture: Anna Rogers

The retiring MP then took aim at longtime political ally Prof Twomey, who campaigned for Mr Neal during the paramedic’s federal campaign.

When contacted by the Cairns Post, Prof Twomey declined to comment, directing any inquiries to the LNP’s headquarters.

Mr Entsch claimed there was interference with the preselection process.

“Trent Twomey used his position to influence the vote ... three complaints went in that a panel looked at.”

It is understood that a committee reviewing the party’s preselection process reached no formal conclusions in relation to the conduct of any members involved.

“The preselection was conducted in line with the LNP constitution,” a Coalition spokeswoman said.

Skytek CEO Alana McKenna speaks at the Cairns Regional Council's International Women's Day 2024 awards, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Skytek CEO and former Cairns woman of the year, Alana McKenna, who was also nominated for preselection, was the better candidate, Mr Entsch said.

“If he (Prof. Twomey) hadn’t been involved in it, there would’ve been a different outcome,” he claimed.

“Alana McKenna was a far superior candidate. She had a much higher profile, was an accomplished speaker and squeaky clean.

“I believe there would have been a different outcome in Leichhardt (if she ran). I give full credit to Trent Twomey for the loss of this seat.

“He actively involved himself in the process … and openly boasted about it.”

Former Member for Dickson, Peter Dutton and Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, during question time in the House of Representatives in Canberra in 2017. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Mr Entsch also shared his critique of the former opposition leader, who he said failed to work with the party’s backbenchers to develop the party’s major policies.

“Over the last three years … we were never consulted on any development,” the former croc wrangler said. “You know, ‘Trust us. We’re going to do it.’ There was a small group.

“Back in the (former Prime Minister John) Howard days, he used to select groups of backbenchers, sit down with them when developing policy and test how it was going to impact them.

“It led to a lot better policy but that didn’t occur (under Mr Dutton).”

In response to criticisms of his leadership, the former Member for Dickson has vowed to maintain a “graceful silence” after losing both the federal election and his own Queensland seat.

Originally published as Warren Entsch lays blame for Leichhardt landslide